Love to learn with the WEA

Our languages and culture courses span the length and breadth of England and Scotland, with the option to study online or in person at a time that suits you. Whether you’re looking to learn a new language and immerse yourself in another country, or you simply wish to indulge in your love and fascination of film, we have the course for you. 

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Our creative writing courses will nourish your inner writer, providing you with a platform to develop your love of poetry, non-fiction or script development. If literature courses are more your kind of thing, then you’re in luck too, as there are a wide range of topics to choose from.  

Literary greats and great periods in history

Our language courses offer you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new culture, developing your skills so that you can speak confidently in countries right across the world. German, Italian and Greek are just a few examples of the language courses we have to offer, with many others taking place throughout the year.  

As you’d expect, literary greats such as Agatha Christie and Shakespeare feature regularly. There’s also the option to examine other time periods in English literature too, helping you develop your critical reading and analysis skills - perfect whether you’re a beginner or more experienced in the subject.  

If you prefer history then you’ve got a choice too, from courses on subjects you’d expect such as the first world war, or art history and studying the works of iconic painters such as Salvador Dali. 

Support and guidance

Whatever course you choose, you'll learn in a supportive environment where the class sizes are small, ensuring you get the attention you deserve, with an experienced and qualified tutor on-hand to guide you through your learning too.  

A lot of our cultural learning is delivered by our branch network: learn more here.

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History: Some Medieval Kings and Queens of England…with Dr. Mark Barnard

According to legend, after the death of their native-born and last prince, Llewelyn The Last, Edward I promised the Welsh a prince born in Wales, who could speak no English. Not long after he presented them with his first-born son – the first Prince of Wales. Next, he relentlessly attempted to subdue Scotland, but died before doing so. Meanwhile, Richard II’s reign has been described by Shakespeare as one of England’s worse whilst that of Henry V as one of England’s finest. But should Shakespeare’s portrayals be challenged, or are they closer to the truth than some have suggested? Providing a brief overview of England’s medieval rulers, this course traces how the reigns of six Plantagenets and their wives have helped shaped the country in their struggles with each other, Parliament, France and Scotland.
Dates:
Fri 04/04/2025 -
Fri 23/05/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Mickleover Library (Derby)
Mickleover Library
Holly End Road, Mickleover
Derby
DE3 0GA
Tutor:
Mark Barnard
Course code:
Q00020535
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Art Appreciation: Hilma af Klint: Swedish painter, spiritualist and pioneer of abstract art

The emergence of abstract art in the early 20th century was a revolution. When looking into its very beginnings the names of Kandinsky, Malevich, and Mondrian come to mind. But in the 1980s, the world discovered the abstract paintings made by a Swedish artist, as early as 1907. Should her many abstract paintings encourage us to rewrite the history of abstract art, or can her work and experiments be seen as marginal because of her intense spiritualism? Why did her works come to our attention so late? This is a thought-provoking case, and a great story!
Dates:
Mon 07/04/2025 -
Mon 07/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019199
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Music Making: Music and Rhythm of African Drumming

This dynamic and interactive course explores the rich traditions of African drumming, focusing on rhythm, technique, and cultural significance. Participants will learn the fundamental drumming patterns, hand techniques, and group coordination skills necessary to play traditional African rhythms. The course encourages self-expression, teamwork, and musicality while fostering an appreciation for African musical heritage.
Dates:
Mon 07/04/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
The Eagle Building (Sunderland)
201 High Street East, Sunderla
Sunderland
SR1 2AX
Tutor:
Mark Barfoot
Course code:
Q00021383
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Art Appreciation: Painting in the 21st Century

This course views painting produced in the twenty-first century. The course will include developments of figurative and abstract painting. There will be views of artists already prominent in the twentieth century and newly emerging artists from a wide range of attentions. From those born in the 1930s to those born in the 1980s. The course will attend to direct visual experience of reproduction of the works involved linked to elements of comprehension and understanding through a considerable range of exciting encounters and engagements. This course will put an emphasis on developments of figurative and abstract painting in the twenty-first century. There will be views of artists already prominent in the twentieth century and newly emerging artists from a wide range of attentions. From those born in the 1930's to those born in the 1980's.
Dates:
Tue 08/04/2025 -
Tue 27/05/2025
Times:
11:15am - 1:15pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Allen Fisher
Course code:
Q00016750
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Foreign Languages: French Beginners

In this course we will build on the equivalent of two terms of part-time study of French where students have already learned to share greetings, personal information, made restaurant and café orders, can seek directions and talk about the weather. There will be some revision of the existing skills and knowledge and build on this to use a range of verbs in the present tense have wide application in French. The course will be online with plenty of lively interaction in full group and in small break-out groups
Dates:
Tue 08/04/2025 -
Tue 06/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alastair Clark
Course code:
Q00021539
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Art Appreciation: The Unique Architecture of Antoni Gaudí

Gaudí’s works in Catalonia are world-famous. Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and the Park Güell come to mind as two favourite spots. In this session, you will learn about the life of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1862-1926) and discover his main creations. We will study the well-known works, but also lesser-known ones, such as Casa Vincens and “El Capricho”. This will be a session filled with bright colours and exuberant shapes, as well as with interesting history as we connect Gaudí’s unique style to its cultural context.
Dates:
Wed 09/04/2025 -
Wed 09/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019196
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list (Waiting list)
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Creative Writing: Write, Polish, Submit!

Need guidance and inspiration to make your story zing? Feel overwhelmed with editing? Join this course for tips and examples of how to edit your work: from the macro of the bigger picture questions to make the story consistent and coherent to the micro of syntax and building tension. This is not a proofreading course. It’s about weeding out info dumping, bringing alive the scene through showing rather than tell. It's about weeding out redundant words, cliches, fixing time hops and transitions and ensure there's enough forward momentum. We write in-class, share, get feedback and re-write. Samples of work with before and after edits will help us know what to focus on. To keep yourself accountable you will be encouraged to research relevant calls for submissions and commit to submitting. Also guidance on the submission process will be shared.
Dates:
Wed 09/04/2025 -
Wed 07/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00021561
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Care2: A look at secret languages and slangs of British English

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. We will take a look at some of the secret languages and slangs of British English. These slangs will include Polari, Thieves Cants, Costermonger's Back Talk and one or two examples of secret language from English literature. The session will be light-hearted and include some interesting video clips.
Dates:
Wed 09/04/2025 -
Wed 09/04/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021677
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Literature: The Fables of Robert Louis Stevenson

The course presents all twenty-two “fables” of Robert Louis Stevenson, some as short as a few lines, others running to several pages, all of them challenging the reader with unexpected approaches to human life. We will read all the fables in six weeks, coming together on Zoom to share responses and questions, examine the literary merits and explore the ways the fables might enhance our understanding of ourselves and others we come into contact with day by day. There are podcasts for each fable to supplement our discussions, as well as space on the Canvas site to continue the Zoom discussions.
Dates:
Wed 16/04/2025 -
Wed 21/05/2025
Times:
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Robert-Louis Abrahamson
Course code:
Q00019254
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Film & Media: Global Treasures – Film Gems from around the World

A friendly and accessible exploration of films from around the world, a chance to learn more and (re)visit some perhaps lesser seen or lesser discussed but key examples of global cinema, from the U.S to India, Iran, France, Italy, Czechoslovakia to the UK and Iceland. This course promotes knowledge, understanding and appreciation and confidence regarding film and cinema, also literacy skills, critical thinking and well-being in general. We examine, have fun and discuss a selection of his works, considering running themes and techniques whilst also highlighting specialist language and terminology, advancing literacy, communication skills and confidence in delivering informed feedback.
Dates:
Mon 21/04/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough)
Westborough
Scarborough
YO11 1JW
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00020286
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00